Special purpose railway car



Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ET AL 3,106,900

. SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR Filed NOV. 16, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JULIUS R. GAL SIGVALD F. UDSTAD Wa M ATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR Filed Nov. 16, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 0 M W mm T m ON lwm #m 5 JBY 35 B f: 1 m 5i Mi M a 55:

Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 m 0 T m 0 o m T N N D R ws... 0 w ILG A m ul JS mg 2 ow Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR Filed Nov. 16, 1959 JULIUS R. GALLO SIGVALD F. UDSTAD BY 6 A 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL 3,106,900

SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR Filed NOV. 16, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 32 FIG. 4

JULIUS R. GALLO BY SIGVALD F. UDSTAD Oct. 15, 1963 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Y SIGVALD F. UDSTAD B WM ATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed NOV. 16, 1959 FIG. 6

INVENTORS JULIUS R. GALLO SIGVALD F. UDSTAD Oct. 15, 1963 J. R. GALLO ETAL SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 k. QE

INVENTORS JULIUS R. GALLO SIGVALD E UDSTAD ATZ ORNEY United States Patent 3,106,900 SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY CAR Julius R. Gallo, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Sigvald F. Udstad,

Summit, N..l., assiguors to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 853,088 10 (Ilaims. (Cl. 105-355) This invention relates to special purpose railway cars and more particularly to a railway car adaptable for railroad service work or for use as an industrial or scientific equipment car as Well as for use as a transporter of large and cumbersome lading.

The objects of the invention include the provision in a railway car of a hinged roof, segmented to eliminate warping during opening and closing and to permit versatile vertical loading and unloading of lading as well as the operational use above the side wall of the car of various types of equipment which may be raisably mounted in the car, such as cranes, scientific instruments, or lengthy support booms. As the roof is segmented, synchronization systems for equalizing the capacity of plural lift means are eliminated.

For converting the car into a level, stable platform upon winch the equipment or supports may operate, lift and support elements for relieving the weight of the car from the truck springs are integral car equipment and a power system is provided which may include means for leveling the lifted car platform. Lateral stability is also provided by integral car structure which is normally housed within the car and is extendable to the ground or right of way on either side of the tracks toprovide a wide platform base.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a car which is self-sufficient in power for operating the various mechanisms utilized for opening the roof segments, raising and lowering lading supports or equipment and stabilizing the car without intruding upon the lading space with power and auxiliary equipment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description with reference to the drawings which form a part thereof.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a railway car embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2a, b and c is a plan view partly broken away of the left end, middle and right end, respectively of the car of FIG. :1.

FIGURE 3 is an elevation partly broken away of the right end of the car.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2a.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2b.

FIGURE 6 is an end view partly broken away of a railway car showing a modification of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the car of FIG. 6 with parts broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a section taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIGURES 1-5 show a railway car 10 having an underframe supported on tracks T by springs S mounted on trucks indicated at 12. The side sills 13 of the oar are connected to a center sill 14 of fish belly construction by transversely disposed cross bearers 15, cross ties 16 and end sills 17.

As best shown in FIGURE 5, each side sill construction includes an inwardly facing channel 13A. A longitudinally extending Z-member 13B is secured by its inner vertical leg to the outer surface of the channel web intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof. The

3,106,900 Patented Oct. 15, 1963 vertical leg of a longitudinally extending angle member 13C is secured to the inner surface of the channel web with its horizontal leg disposed in a plane common with the horizontal leg of the Z-member. This construction permits the retention, between the upwardly extending outer vertical leg of the Z-member and the channel web, of an insulated wall, not shown, for maintaining temperatures within the car for the protection of various types of equipment. The inner angle member provides connection of the side sill to the transverse underframe members. The roof segments 22 may also be insulated by providing inner and outer panels (this arrangement not shown) with insulation therebetween.

Vertically extending angle member corner posts 18 and Z-melmber side posts 19 are longitudinally spaced and connected at their lower ends to the side sills on either side of the car and provide connection for the side wall sheet paneling P. Two opposing Z-members are used for side posts at the joinder points of wall paneling sections. As seen in FIG. 2b the outer, endwardly extending legs of the two members are secured to the inner surfaces of adjacent panel sections and the inner legs of the members are secured together along their edges. Single Z-members are used along the intermediate portions of the panels. The upper ends of the corner and side posts are secured to side plates 20 on either side of the car. Transversely disposed end roof sections 21 are reinforced by carline frame members 21A which are secured by their ends at the ends of the side plates.

The flooring '34 of the car extends between and is supported at its side by the upper legs of the side sills. It is supported intermediate its sides slightly above the center sill on the upper horizontal legs of longitudinally disposed Z-member stringers 6d transversely spaced on either side of the center sill. The stringers are secured at their lower horizontal legs on sub-floor plates 61 which are supported at their sides by the center sill and horizontal legs of the angle members 16C of the side sills. They are supported intermediate their sides by the transverse underframe members. The plates 61 and the flooring further provide a double panel space for insulation material, not shown.

The roof 26 comprises five segments 22 reinforced at their undersurfaces by transversely extending carline 25, 25A and 25-13 which consist of endwardly facing channel members with their segment connecting legs and adjacent webs deformed to coincide with the roof shape. Each segment is hinged on one side edge to the side plate by pin and lug assemblies including a lug 29 disposed on either side of the end of each carline and secured atop the side plate. A pin 23 is journaled at its ends in the lugs and may be journaled centrally within a lug (not shown) secured between the endwardly facing legs of the carlines. When the roof is closed, the carlines bridge the side plates to provide a strong roof structure and may be attachable at their free ends to the side plate by means (not shown) to prevent load pressures from bending the side walls. The segments are arranged so that the end edges of the middle and end segments are overlapped by the adjacent turned end edges of the intermediate segments 22A and 22B. Carlines 25 are secured centrally of each segment and carlines 25A are secured to the undersurfaces of the overlapped edges. The end segments provide carlines 25C similarly secured to the segment undersurfaces adjacent their ends which are turned slightly to overlap the end roof sections when the roof is closed. Each segment has turned side edges on either side thereof overlapping the ends of the carlines. Tight fit of overlapped edges and/or weather stripping (not shown) may be provided to insure protection of equipment or lading.

The side plate which supports the free edges of the roof segments may readily provide lock or attaching means, not shown, to secure the roof in the down position. The attaching means may be provided inside or outside of the car and for this reason, the free edges of the segments are shown as not extending to the side edge of the plate.

Tll individual segments are raisable by the operation of hydraulic cylinders 26 and their associated pistons 27. Each cylinder is retained at its end by a pin 28 extending through an extension thereof and journaled at its ends in the arms of a bracket 29 which is secured to a side post of the car below and adjacent to each roof segment. The outer end of each piston is secured in the arms of a bracket 31 by a pin 32 extending through an eye extension at the end of the piston and journaled at its ends in the bracket arms. The bracket is secured to the straight leg of the centrally positioned carline channels 25 to afford the hydraulic ram a rigid attachment against which it may operate.

The cylinders are connected in a hydraulic system which also includes a longitudinally disposed center cylinder 33 secured to a mounting plate 62 which is secured to the top plate of the center sill 14 and longitudinally disposed along the center line of the car. Its position would of course vary according to the work it is to perform. It is constructed for heavy duty to assist in raising and lowering an equipment platform, for instance, or as in the drawings, a support and positioning boom 35. Its operable connection to the boom is not shown but may take any convenient form for pushing and pulling a piston attached to the boom to raise and lower it when desired. A fluid passage 33A shown in FIGURE 2a, is provided at one end for connection of the cylinder to the hydraulic power supply. Winches, not shown, either in the car or outside may also be employed for such lifting operation if required.

As seen in FIGURES 2 and 5, the hydraulic system for the roof and center cylinders includes a plurality of hydraulic accumulators 36 which serve as selectable energy storage units, a hydraulic pump and motor 37, a hydraulic liquid reservoir tank 38, a storage reservoir tank 38A, and the accumulator sump tank 39. A diesel engine 40 fed by a fuel line from the fuel tank 41 supplies the power for the hydraulic motor. The accumulators are suspended by means of metal strapping 42 between the center sill and side sills on either side of the car at longitudinally spaced positions. These straps have their ends secured in the lower legs of the endwardly facing channel shaped cross ties 16 and the accumulators are provided with similar support at both their ends so that they are longitudinally disposed between two cross tie members. A second row of accumulators may be provided by lengthening the strap supports and inserting spacers 43 between upper and lower accumulators. Their selectable connection to the hydraulic system is typical as is the hydraulic system itself. The system is not shown, as such systems are well known.

The diesel engine, electric battery 44, hydraulic pump and motor, fuel tanks, accumulator sump tank and the hydraulic liquid tank and hydraulic liquid reservoirs are all supported by the underframe in any suitable manner as by the plate 46, beam 47 and gusset 48 arrangement supporting the diesel engine, shown in FIGURE 5. Dust casings 64 are provided to shield the various underframe supported equipment and may be secured along their inner and outer edges to the center sill and side sills respectively.

To convert the car to a stable platform upon which crane equipment or boom supports may operate, the car is equipped with vertical, longitudinal and lateral stabilizing elements.

Longitudinal stability is accomplished by anchoring the car to the tracks by means of tension bars located on the inner sides of the trucks In the car shown in FIGURES 1 5, four bars are used, two on either side of the car. As best seen in FIGURE 3, a channel bracket 51 connected to a transverse channel member 52, the ends of which connect the side sill and center sill, provides support for the centrally extending end of the bar. An extension 53 of the bar provides a journal bcaring for a pivot pin 54- carried by the bracket so that the bar connection is pivotal. The endwardly extending end of the bar also provides an extension 55 in which pin 56 is journaled. A track anchor 57 having track clamping means is carried by the pin 56 so that the anchor may rotate in a longitudinal plane when lifted or lowered. A vertically oriented channel member 58 which provides a pin receiving hole at its lower end is secured to the cross bearer 15 above and endward of the anchor when in the operable position. By vertical movement of the track anchor, the bar is raised and a lock pin 59 chained to the anchor is provided to engage the end of the anchor through the pin hole in the channel member 59 to retain the bar in its raised position. When lowered the anchor is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, and engages the track to restrain longitudinal movement of the car by means of the tension bar.

For vertical stability, the weight of the car is lifted from the truck springs S to provide a steady platform for crane equipment operation or boom support positioning. To accomplish this, there are four motor driven geared worm jacks 70 at each end of the car, two located fore and two located aft of each truck and depending from support plates 71 attached to the side sill and center sill. Suitable reinforcement intermediate the ends of the plates may be provided. These jacks are so arranged that when their shafts 72 are lowered, the bearing plates 73, secured at the ends of the shafts, contact the rails permitting the lifting of the entire weight of the car from the truck springs. Where a level platform may be required for accurate positioning or for the operation of sensitive field equipment and the like, the motor driven jacks may be remotely controlled and a limit switch may stop the motors and lock the jacks in the properly stabilized position. Reference may be had to level indicators (not shown) on the car and each jack may be individually raised or lowered for perfect leveling.

Lateral stability may be accomplished at either or both ends of the car depending on the operations to be performed, and in FIGURES 1, 2a, 2c, 3 and 4 there is illustrated two structures, one at either end of the car, for achieving such stability and which may be used individually or together. Obviously either structure may be used at both ends of the car and in instances where stability is only required at one end under any circumstance, the structure at one end or the other may be eliminated.

Both stabilizing means are stowed inside of the car above the underframe and extend to either side of the tracks when in the operable position to engage track-side bases B. In the one case, the stabilizing means include end doors 75 which when opened, thereby clearing the stowage area, provide entrance and exit for workmen or an optional loading and unloading operation. In the other case, diagonal I-beams slidably mounted at the end of the car for downward and transverse movement provide the lateral reach to the track-side bases. Doors, not shown, may be provided at this end to provide access to the stabilizing structure.

Although lateral stability has been stressed, it should be understood that the jack means provided at the extending ends of the doors or diagonal beams may also be used as vertical stabilizers or lift elements.

Referring now to FIGURES 2a and 4, lateral stability for the one end of the car is accomplished by the provision of end doors 75 a pair of which are hinged to the corner posts by pin and lug arrangements vertically spaced at predetermined points of stress, as best seen in FIGURE 4. When closed, these doors extend across the entire end space of the car between the end sill and end roof section and the two corner posts with their free edges extending vertically at the center line of the car. Each door comprises an outer panel 77 reinforced at its free edge by a box frame member '78 vertically spaced above the bottom of the panel and extending to the top thereof and secured thereto by one of its vertically extending walls. An angle member 79 extends horizontally between and connects the top of the inner wall of the box member and the top of the inner edge channel frame member 80 and is secured by one of its legs along the top edge of the panel. The frame member 8% is secured to the hinged edge of the panel. The door hinge lugs 76 are secured to the web of the inner edge channel while the car hinge lugs 76A are secured to the corner posts 18. A diagonal truss member 81 extends between and connects the upper end of the outer edge box member to the lower end of the inner edge channel member and is secured to the panel inner surface. A horizontal bottom frame member 82 is spaced above and secured to the door panel adjacent the lower end thereof and connects the free edge frame member at its lower end with one side of the diagonal truss. Frame piece 83 connects the other side of the truss to the inner edge channel.-

A bent truss member 84 is secured to and extends transversely upwardly along the panel from the corner connection of the free edge box frame member and the horizontal frame member to and across the diagonal truss, where its panel connection portion is discontinued, and then horizontally to the hinged edge channel member which it connects adjacent the pin and lug hinge assembly secured to the door and corner post at that point.

The lower end of each door provides a worm geared jack 85 which in this instance is electrically powered by its associated motor 85A to lower its bearing shaft SSC into position on previously prepared concrete or similar bases B on either side of the tracks. The jack and motor are secured by their flanged bases to the door panel, and to the frame members by a suitable plate support member 36. The jack underlies the lower edge of the box frame member of the door framework and its shaft is permitted vertical entrance and stowage within the walls thereof. The inoperable or up position of a portion of the shaft is indicated in FIGURE 3 in dotted lines. Lateral stability of the car at the jack bearing door end of the car may be accomplished by solid contact on the track-side bases of the plates 8'7 secured to the ends of the shafts. As previously stated, the jacks may also be utilized as left elements to raise the weight of the car off the truck springs.

The end of the car opposite the hinged door stabilizer end is shown in FIGURES 1, 2c and 3. The stabilizer structure including the diagonal I-beams 100 is utilized at this end and is also shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 which illustrate a modification of the railway car of the invention. In the following description, reference may be made to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 as well as to FIGURES 1, 2c and 3 as the stabilizing means is identical in either instance. The number designations of the modified car side sills 99, side posts 132, corner posts 132A and end roof section carlines 133A will be referred to in the following description which is equally applicable to the side sills 13, side posts 19, corner posts 18 and end roof section carlines 21A of the car of FIGURES 1-5.

Each diagonally disposed I-beam or strut is slidably supported between the opposed webs and legs of oppositely facing channel members 101, 101A. The channel members for each strut are secured together along their opposing leg edges to form a box girder support housing, and the two housings are secured together at their upper edges and to an end roof section carline 133A at the center line of the car. The channels 101 facing the end wall of the car are discontinued near the top to permit access to the plate 192 connection of hydraulic cylinder 1193 and piston 1M assemblies which retain and lower and raise the struts within the channels. The piston end of the assembly in each box structure housing is secured by means of a pin 105 to the web of the I-beam strut intermediate the ends thereof while the closed end of the cylinder is similarly secured to the plate.

The support housings extend diagonally downward from the roof connection to the side sills 99 on either side of the car to which the lower edges of the housings are secured. The outer end edge of each housing extends vertically and to the upper end of the housing there is secured a pair of gussets 106. The inner edges of the gussets abut and are secured to the upper wall of the support housing adjacent either side thereof and the outer edges are secured to the corner post 132A and the next adjacent side post 132.

A rectangular opening 108 is provided in the panel Walls at the outer end connection of the support housings to permit the I-beams to extend downwardly and outwardly toward the bases B on either side of the tracks. The outer edges of the I-beams extend vertically, and vertically oriented hydraulic jack cylinders 109, are secured thereto. The ends of the jack piston shafts 110 provide bracket connections for pivotally connecting bearing plates 111 which act as vertically disposed wall closures for the rectangular opening when the I-beams are raised to their inoperative position, as shown on the right side of FIGURE 6, with the cylinders stowed within the housings and extending above the upper wall thereof which is provided with a cutout portion 98 at that point.

Raising and lowering of each I-beam strut is accomplished by the operation of its associated cylinder and piston assembly, diagonally disposed within the strut support housings. The housings are so secured in the car to transmit lifted weight forces to the side sill, the wall posts and to the carline framework supporting the end roof section. The struts may be locked in their down position by the operation of pressure in the hydraulic system or by lock means, not shown, interengaging the struts and channel housings. Similar lock means may be provided to retain the struts in the up position.

As previously stated, the car of the invention as modilied and shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 utilizes the diagonal I-beam lateral stabilizing means, and as seen in FIGURE 7, at but one end of the car. In this case, equipment operations requiring lateral stability should be restricted adjacent the laterally stabilized area. The modified version of the car further presents a roof comprised of two longitudinally extending rows of four segments 121 each, one row extending on each side of the car. The segments are hinged by their side edges atop the side plates 122 by pin and lug means 123 similar to those of the car in FIGURES l-5 but providing journal engagement for the pins in arm extensions 123A which are secured to the end of I-beam carlines 126,

126A on one side thereof. The center or free edges of one row of segments provide inverted V-strips 124 and the free edges of the other row provide center line underlie edges 125. The free edges of the opposing rows interengage in overlapping relationship for weather sealing when the roof is closed and weather striping, not shown, may be provided.

The arrangement of the carlines 126 is similar to that of the carlines 25 of the car shown in the previous figures, in that they are transverse members, secured centrally to the under-surfaces of the segments providing the center line underlie edges on one side of the car. They are deformed at their roof segment connection to conform to the roof outline. These carlines provide bracket connections 128 for the pistons 12.9. Bracket connections 130 for the cylinders 131 are similarly provided by the side posts 132. Edge carlines 126A are secured at the end edges of the middle two segments and to the center edge of either one of the middle segments. In this case they are disposed to extend and supportingly underlie adjacent segment edges for weather sealing. The end edges of the end segments will overlie the end roof sections 133 when the roof is closed. All the carlines extend past the free edges of the segments to which they are secured so that they may support gly underlie the opposing segments hinged on the other side of the car when the roof is closed and bridge the two side walls to provide a strong roof structure. Attaching means, not shown, interengaging the unhinged ends of the carlines and the side plate may be provided.

The segments on the side of the car providing the inverted V center line strips, are similarly connected to their supporting side plate by pin and lug means indicated at 134, and to the inside of the car by piston and cylinder assemblies 135 attached at either end by pin and bracket assemblies 136 and 137 respectively. The segment-piston bracket connections are secured to transverse reinforcing members 138 while the cylinder-wall bracket connections are secured to the side posts. The reinforcing members are naturally spaced longitudinally from the carlines to avoid obstruction of the operation of opposing cylinder piston assemblies and interference between the carlines and the members. In operation, this side of the roof must be lifted first and lowered last to accommodate the arcuate path of travel of the carlines secured to the other side of the roof.

Hydraulic jacks 140 are supported by the underframe of the car of FIGURES 6 and 7 in a manner similar to the electromechanical jacks in the previous figures, that is by plate support connecting the side sills and center sill on either side of the car. It will be noted that only four jacks are used in the modification. They are placed inwardly of the truck at either end of the car and on either side thereof. A similar arrangement may be utilized in the previously described car. The extendable pistons or bearing rods 14?. of the jacks are vertically oriented in a plane common with the road rails over which they are supported. It should be understood that the jacks in either of the cars shown could be positioned for hearing engagement with the track cross ties or with prepared bases, not shown, on either side of the tracks. There engagement with the tracks or bases will permit the lifting of the weight of the car oil: of the truck springs, and the lateral stabilizer at the end of the car is then positioned and made to bear solidly against the bases B on either side of the tracks.

As the electro-mechanical jacks of the previously described car may be electrically controlled for leveling the raised car-platform (whether all eight jacks are used or only the center four), so may the hydraulic jacks be controlled by providing a cutoff pressure switch to stop action of the jacks when the weight of the car first rests on the jacks. Level indicators on the car may be used as a reference and each individual jack may be raised or lowered for perfect leveling.

As in the car of FIGURES 1-5, the power supply of the modified car includes a diesel engine 150 fed by a fuel line from the fuel tank 151. The diesel engine supplies the power for a hydraulic motor and pump assembly, not shown. Hydraulic accumulators, also not shown, may be included in the car for energy storage to be used when heavy duty work is to be performed and speedup of operations is desirable. The accumulator sump tank 152 is shown in FIGURE 7. Again, the complete hydraulic system and its connection to the roof lifting cylinders, vertical and lateral stabilizer jacks is not shown, as such systems are well known. It should be understood that a heavy duty cylinder or some such means for raising equipment platforms or booms, although not shown, is to be provided in the modified car just as in the car of FIGURES 15, so that operations of such equipment or structure may take place above the side walls when the roof is opened and the car stabilized.

In the car of FIGURES 1-5, the diesel engine also supplies the power for the electric motors of the vertical stabilizer jacks and for the lateral stabilizer jacks on the end doors 75. The lateral stabilizer hydraulic jacks on the diagonal struts are actuated, through the hydraulic system including the roof lifting and center cylinders. in either car shown, a diesel engine equipped with a 220 volt, three phase, sixty-cycle alternator, rated at 45 kw. continuous and 55 kw. intermittent, running at 1800 rpm, has been determined to be suificiently etfective. Typical electric wiring may be used in either car and, as such wiring arrangements are well known, they are not shown.

The railway car of the invention is a self-sufficient, versatile special purpose car. It provides for a steady, level platform upon which heavy or sensitive equipment may operate and its hinged roof permits such operation above its side walls. The equipment or lading may be safely stowed for transportation or storage, protected by the walls and the closed roof.

The roof has been segmented to permit the use of a plurality of lift means without the necessity of including complicated and expensive equalizing or synchronizing mechanisms which have been used in the past to insure uniform lifting of lengthy roofs to prevent warping.

The various power means for lifting the roof, actuating the stabilizer means and raising and lowering equipment or lading, all operate from a central power source which includes energy storage means for extra power to speed operations. The power source, energy storage means, and all auxiliary equipment including longitudinal and vertical stabilizer units are carried by the underframc whereby optimum lading space is retained. Lateral stabilizer units are carried on the car above the underframe and are extendable to either side of the car to provide a wide base for the stabilized car. In one form of the invention, the extending of the lateral stabilizer unit clears the stowage area of the unit and permits access therethrough.

The versatility and compactness of the car of the invention will permit the use of the car for many different functions. As this is so, various modifications of the present invention may be made as they will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit and scope which is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A railway car, comprising in combination, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said wheeled trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means, side walls supported by and extending upwardly from said underframe to define a space, a roof structure extending between and supported by the upper edges of said side walls to cover said space, hinge means connecting an edge of said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, lift means connecting said roof structure and a side wall and operable to raise said roof structure to a position substantially coextensive with the side wall to which it is hinged thereby uncovering said space, jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car off said resilient means, said jack means being carried by the underframe and extendable to said tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, lateral stabilizing means secured on said railway car above said underframe, said lateral stabilizing means being laterally and downwardly extendable to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks and engageable thereagainst to prevent overturning of the car when said roof is raised, and power means carried by said underframe for operating said lift means, said jack means and said lateral stabilizer means, whereby said railway car is convertible into a walled open top stable platform.

2. A railway car, comprising in combination, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks ex ending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said wheeled trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, a lloor supported by said underframc, sidc walls supported by and l l l l extending upwardly above said underframe to define a space, work equipment mounted in said space on said floor adjacent one end thereof and raisable to extend a considerable distance above the upper edge of said side walls, means secured to said floor and connected to said work equipment for raising the same above said side walls, a roof structure extending between and supported by the upper edges of said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, lift means connecting said roof structure to a side wall and operable to raise said roof structure to a position substantially coextensive with the side wall to which it is hinged thereby uncovering said space, jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car off said resilient means, said jack means being carried by the underframe and extendable to said tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to vertically stabilize the railway car with respect to the tracks, lateral stabilizing means secured on said railway car above said underframe, said lateral stabilizing means being laterally and downwardly extendable to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks and engageable thereagainst to prevent overturning of the railway car when said roof structure is raised and said work equipment is extended above said side walls, and power means carried by said underframe for connection to and operation of said lift means, said jack means, said lateral stabilizer means and said means secured to said floor, said power means including energy storage means carried by said underframe for speeding said operation to thereby rapidly uncover said space, stabilize said car, and extend said work equipment.

3. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls supported by said underframe to define a space thereabove, and jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car oif said resilient means, said jack means being carried by said un derframe and extendable to said railroad tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to thereby vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, a hinged roof structure, lateral stabilizer means, said hinged roof extending between and supported atop said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, and lift means connecting said roof structure to a side wall and operable to raise said roof structure to a position extending above and substantially in alignment with said latter named side Wall, said lateral stabilizer means comprising means secured on said railway car above said underframe and extendable laterally and downwardly to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thereagainst and cooperating with said jack means to prevent overturning of the car when said roof structure is raised, whereby said railway car is convertible to an opened stabilized platform.

4. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls supported by said underframe to define a space thereabove, and jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car off said resilient means, said jack means being carried by said underframe and extendable to said railroad tracks for lifting engagement thereag-ainst to thereby vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, a hinged roof structure, lateral stabilizer means, said hinged roof extending between and supported atop said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, said roof structure being formed of a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments with each segment hinged by said hinge means on one of said side walls, and lift means connecting each of said longitudinally spaced segments to a side wall and operable to raise said segments to a position extending above and substantially in alignment with the side wall to which they are hinged, said lateral stabilizer means comprising means secured on said railway car above said underframe and ex-tendable laterally and downwardly to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thereagainst and cooperating with said jack means to prevent overturning of the car when said roof structure is raised whereby said railway car is convertible to an opened stabilized platform.

5. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side Walls supported by said underframe to define a space thereabove, and jack means for lifting the Weight of said railway car off said resilient means, said jack means being carried by said underframe and extendable to said railroad tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to thereby vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, a hinged roof structure, lateral stabilizer means, said hinged roof extending between and supported atop said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, and lift means connecting said roof structure to a side wall and operable to raise said roof structure to a position extending above and substantially in alignment with said latter named side wall, transversely disposed carlines secured to the undersurfaces of said roof structure to support the same and to form ties between said side walls when said roof is closed and to additionally form connections for said lift means, said lateral stabilizer means comprising means secured on said railway car above said underframe and extendable laterally and downwardly to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thereagainst and cooperating with said jack means to prevent overturning of the car when said roof structure is raised whereby said railway car is convertible to an opened stabilized platform.

6. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls supported by said underframe to define a space thereabove, and jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car elf said resilient means, said jack means being carried by said underframe and extendable to said railroad tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to thereby vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, a hinged roof structure, lateral stabilizer means, said hinged roof extending between and supported atop said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, said roof structure being formed of a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments comprising two rows of opposed segments, each row of segments being hinged on opposed side walls, complementary overlying-underlying means at the free edges of said opposed segments and interengaging when said roof is closed to seal the same, and lift means connecting each of said longitudinally spaced segments of each row to the associated side Wall and operable to raise the segments to a position extending above and substantially in alignment with the side wall to which they are hinged, said lateral stabilizer means comprising means secured on said railway car above said underframe and extendable laterally and downwardly to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thereagainst and cooperating with said jack means to prevent overturning of the car when said roof structure is raised, whereby said railway car is convertible to an opened stabilized platform.

7. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means mounted on said trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to th traclc, side walls supported by said underframe to define a space thereabove, and jack means for lifting the weight of said railway car off said resilient means, said jack means being carried by said underframe and extcndable to said railroad tracks for lifting engagement thereagainst to thereby vertically stabilize the car with respect to the track, a hinged roof structure, lateral stabilizer means, said hinged roof extending between and supported atop said side walls, hinge means connecting said roof structure to the upper edge of a side wall, said roof structure being formed of a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments comprising two rows of opposed segments, each row of segments being hinged on opposed side walls, complementary overlying-underlying means at the free edges of said opposed segments and interengaging when said roof is closed to seal the same, transversely disposed carlines secured to said longitudinally spaced segments of one of said rows and extending between said side walls to tie the same together when the roof is closed, said carlines supporting the said longitudinally spaced segments of the opposed row when said roof is closed, and lift means connecting each of said longitudinally spaced segments of each row to the associated side wall and operable to raise the segments to a position extending above and substantially in alignment with the side wall to which they are hinged, said lateral stabilizer means comprising means secured on said railway car above said underframc and extendable laterally and downwardly to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thcreagainst and cooperating with said jack means to prevent overturning of the car when said roof structure is raised whereby said railway car is convertible to an opened stabilized platform.

8. in a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad track extending through a right of way, resilient means supported by said Wheeled trucks, an underframe supported by said resiiient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls supported by said underframe and extending upwardly thereabove to define a space, jack means carried by the undcrframe or extendable lifting engagement against said railroad tracks to thereby lift the weight of said railway car off said resilient means, and vertically stabilize said car relative to said tracks, a hinged segmented roof, said hinged segmented roof comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments, said segments extending between and supported by said side walls, hinge means connecting each one of said segments and a side wall, lift means connecting each one of said segments and a side wall and operable to raise said segments to a position extending upwardly above the side wall, lateral stabilizer means for the car when said roof is raised, said lateral stabilizer means comprising a pair of opposing vertically oriented doors located at one end of the car, hinge means connecting each said door to an end of said railway car on either side thereof, jack means carried by said doors at the unhinged ends thereof, said doors being swingable on said hinge means to extend laterally on either side of said railway car, and said jacl; means carried by said doors being downwardly cxtendable to said right of way for engagement thereagainst, whereby a stable platform base, wider than said railway car, is provided and upon which said roof may be opened to provide an opened, stabilized platform substantially free from overturning.

9. In a railway car, the combination of, wheeled tlllCliS adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means supported by said wheeled trucks, an underfrarne supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls supported by said underframe and extending upwardly thereabove to define a space, jack means carried by the underframe for extendable lifting engagement against said railroad tracks to thereby lift the weight of said railway car 011 said resilient means and vertically stabilize said car relative to said tracks, a hinged segmented roof, said hinged segmented roof comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments, said segments extending between and supported by said side walls and tying said walls together, tinge means connecting each one of said segments and a side wall, lift means connecting each one of said se ments and a side wall and operable to raise said segments to a position above and substantially coextcnsive with a side wall, lateral stabilizer means for preventing overturning of the car when said segments are raised, said lateral stabilizer means comprising a pair of struts, laterally downwardly extendable means connecting each said strut to said railway car above said underframe, said struts being movable by said extendable means to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thercagainst, whereby a stable base, wider than said railway car is provided and upon which said hinged segmented roof may be opened to provide an open vertically and laterally stabilized platform.

10. in a railway car, the combination of, wheeled trucks adapted to run on railroad tracks extending through a right of way, resilient means supported by said wheeled trucks, an underframe supported by said resilient means for vertical movement relative to the track, side walls sup ported by said underframe and extending upwardly thereabove to define a space, jack means carried by the underframe for extendable lifting engagement against said railroad tracks to thereby lift the weight of said railway car off said resilient means and vertically stabilize said car relative to said tracks, a hinged segmented roof, said hinged segmented roof comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced segments, said segments extending between and supported by said side walls and tying said walls together, hinge means connecting each one of said segments and a side wall, lift means connecting each one of said segments and a side Wall and operable to raise said segments to a position above and substantially coextensive with a side wall, lateral stabilizer means for preventing overturning of the car when said segments are raised, said lateral stabilizer means comprising a pair of struts, laterally downwardly extendable means connecting each said strut to said railway car above said underframe, vertically oriented jack means carried by the outer end of each of said struts and being independently adjustable, said struts and vertically oriented jack means being movable by said extendable means to said right of way on either side of said railroad tracks for engagement thereagainst, whereby a stable base, wider than said railway car is provided and upon which said hinged segmented roof may be opened to provide an open vertically and laterally stabilized platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A RAILWAY CAR, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, WHEELED TRUCKS ADAPTED TO RUN ON RAILROAD TRACKS EXTENDING THROUGH A RIGHT OF WAY, RESILIENT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID WHEELED TRUCKS, AN UNDERFRAME SUPPORTED BY SAID RESILIENT MEANS, SIDE WALLS SUPPORTED BY AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID UNDERFRAME TO DEFINE A SPACE, A ROOF STRUCTURE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND SUPPORTED BY THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID SIDE WALLS TO COVER SAID SPACE, HINGE MEANS CONNECTING AN EDGE OF SAID ROOF STRUCTURE TO THE UPPER EDGE OF A SIDE WALL, LIFT MEANS CONNECTING SAID ROOF STRUCTURE AND A SIDE WALL AND OPERABLE TO RAISE SAID ROOF STRUCTURE TO A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH THE SIDE WALL TO WHICH IT IS HINGED THEREBY UNCOVERING SAID SPACE, JACK MEANS FOR LIFTING THE WEIGHT OF SAID RAILWAY CAR OFF SAID RESILIENT MEANS, SAID JACK MEANS BEING CARRIED BY THE UNDERFRAME AND EXTENDABLE TO SAID TRACKS FOR LIFTING ENGAGEMENT THEREAGAINST TO VERTICALLY STABILIZE THE CAR WITH RESPECT TO THE TRACK, LATERAL STABILIZING MEANS SECURED ON SAID RAILWAY CAR ABOVE SAID UNDERFRAME, SAID LATERAL STABILIZING MEANS BEING LATERALLY AND DOWNWARDLY EXTENDABLE TO SAID RIGHT OF WAY ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID RAILROAD TRACKS AND ENGAGE- 